The Plenary session of the Pan-African Parliament kicked off today, Monday 27 June, 2022, at the institution’s headquaters in Midrand, South Africa. The legislative body of the African Union is expected to elect its new Bureau after last year’s elections were disputed over rules regarding regional rotation of the body’s presidential seat.
2022 Presidential Candidates
Southern Region
The Southern Regional caucus seconded the Zimbabwean Senator and President of the Chief’s Council, Chief Fortune Charumbira who has been the Acting President since 2019. Also contesting from the region is the controversial Malawian MP for Mzimba North Yeremiah Chihana, who announced his bid 2 weeks ago. The Southern Region of the African Union comprises of 9 member states: Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Eastern Region
The principle of a rotating Pan African Parliament presidency, which the Southern Region insists on, is still not accepted by all. The East African Caucus at the Pan African Parliament (PAP) regardless of having the Presidential seat, is reportedly rallying behind Ambassador Albino Aboug from South Sudan. The 14 Member states represented Union of the Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Northern Region
The Northern Region caucus is also backing Southern Region’s Chief Charumbira. However, a candidate from Morocco had previously been speculated. Recent reports indicate the likely candidate to have been Honorable Abdessamad Haiker, Vice President of the Justice and Development Party in the Upper House of the Moroccan parliament. The region’s member states are: Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Sudan, Tunisia, and Western Sahara/Saharawi Republic.
What is the Pan-African Parliament?
The African Union established the Pan-African Parliament in 2004 with the goal of facilitating and overseeing implementation of AU policies, objectives and programmes. The parliament is mandated to be the voice of the people of Africa in matters concerning continental integration and shared development amongst all Africans.
The Parliament was declared the official legislative body of the African Union at the 23rd ordinary session of the General Assembly of the AU held in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea on 24 June 2014. The PAP composed of 229 legislators, with each of the 52 member states sending a delegation of five members of parliament which includes at least one woman.
The continental legislative body has is made up of three main structures: the plenary, bureau, and secretariat, as well as, ten permanent committees.
The Plenary is the main legislative and deliberation section of the Parliament where all MPs, meet to discuss issues in Africa and potential solutions. The Bureau is the leadership section of the Parliament, made up of a president and four vice presidents, all of whom are elected by delegates in the Plenary. The Secretariat is the organizational body of the Parliament and is chaired by a Clerk, Deputy Clerk, and an Acting Deputy Clerk.
